Hot metal car



s sheets-sheet 2 J. D. PUGH HOT METAL CAR Filed July 21, 1931 Allg. 7, 1934. J, Q PUGH h 1,969,325

HOT METAL CAR Filed July 2l, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 j l l @i7 W Patented Aug. '7, 1934 1,969,325 nor METAL can John'D. Pugh, Baltimore, Md. Application July 21, 1931, Serial No. 55,?2422'v 27 claims.

The present invention relates to containers for the temporary storage of molten iron, steel, slag, or other molten materials and relates particularly to containers of this type which are Vtransportable from place to place, such for instance as hot metal or slag cars, ladles, and the like.

Various types of containers for the storage, handling, mixing, or transportationof molten metal.' slag, or the like have heretofore been designed or suggested, and are now in daily use. Probably the preferred type of hot metal container now employed in the transportation of molten metal comprises a generally cylindrical body having trunnions at its ends and apertures for the introduction or discharge of molten material at or toward the top of the body, the container body being adapted to be. rotated about a longitudinally extending axis passing through the trunnions in the discharge of its molten contents. A type of container of this kind which has proven eminently satisfactory in practice is disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,251,282, granted December 25, 191'?.

lThe present invention contemplates an improvement in containers for molten materials, and one object thereof is to provide a container which is so constructed that it is unnecessary to' rotate or otherwise manipulate the container body for the purpose of either permitting the introduction or effecting the discharge of such materials. Thus in accordance with the present invention, top pouring spouts formed in the container wall are wholly done away with, and an outlet for the discharge of molten materials is provided in the wall of the container at or near the bottom thereof. Associated with this bottom discharge aperture is a movable spout, which spout is so designed and constructed that the aperture in its end may be raised or lowered relatively to the container body, that is, may be adjusted to a position above the level of the upper surface of the molten material in the container or may be adjusted so that it lies below the level of the surface of the molten ma- In the former case.. the spout is so posithe liquid contents of the container whereas in the latter case, the desired portion thereof,

terial. tioned that cannot escape, entire contents, or any '50 may be discharged therefrom.

The spout referred to may function either as a combined inlet and discharge spout or as a discharge spout only. In the latter case the .container will be provided with an aperture in the top for the introduction of the molten ma- (Cl. 26S-39) terial. tainer is wholly closed vent to permit the escape in, and the adjustable constructed that means for introducing Preferably, however, the top of the consave possibly for a small of gases forming therespoutv is so designed and it may function both as a molten material into the container and for permitting its discharge therefrom.

A container of the -above type is well adapted to be used either as transported by means stationary mixer for metal or slag transporting car.

is of particular utility mounted upon wheels supported wholly from nions at the ends thereof.

molten metal, or as a ladle arranged to be of an overhead crane, a a hot The invention when embodied in a car inasmuch below and not by trun- A hot meal container supported by trunnions at its ends must necessarily be constructed very rigidly and strongly to be able to carry its own weight of the contained metal without sagging' or breaking between the points A car constructed inof support. accordance with the present invention does not necessitate the use of so rigidly constructed a container, as the container is supported at a number of points between the ends length), and

there is no such thereof (unless quite short in tendency to sag as heretofore experienced with the aforementioned type of car.

utilized than was ported at their ends.

Furthermore, length, a container of the improved type of much for a hot Thus, a container which is supported at its ends necessarily must be made shorter than one supported from. below,

the trunnions and trunnion supports of the car occupying In accordance with at the ends considerable space. the present invention, a

container body of generally cylindrical form is preferably used, supported atintervals along its length (in container) and having a pouring spout of the adjustable typev specified positioned a car of given length invention provides a w capacity with simplest I prefer 'that a car body,

the container, shall be constructed at one end thereof. For

and height, the present ay of securingmaximum structural design. While in the form of a cylinder with its axis horizontal and that thev adjustable spout shall be positioned at one end,

it will be appreciated that this precise form of Car and arrangement be departed from in a various specific uses.

of adjustable spout may dapting the invention to The shape of the conas it may be weight and the when mounted upon n tainer itself may be widely modified, and the position and details of construction of the adjustable spout may be altered considerably without departure from the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated in a preferred formand as applied in the construction of a car particularly de'- signed for the transportation of moltenmetal, such for instance as `molten pig iron, and two forms of such cars are' disclosed. It will be understood, however, that these specific types are set forth by way of example only.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a relatively long hot metal or slag car, the molten material container of which is intended to have aA large capacity;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the same;

Figure 3 is an end View of the car showing the adjustable spout in several positions and partly broken away to show its details of construction;

Figure 4 is a section on Figure 5 is a detail;

Figure 6 is a section through an end wall of the container showing details of a clean-out opening;l

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the same;

Figure' 8 is a section on line 7--7 of Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a hot metal car of smaller capacity and which is also adapted to be lifted from the car body upon which`it is mounted and used in the manner of a ladle.

The container preferably comprises essentially a cylindrical body or shell 10 disposed horizontally and having curved end walls 11 and 12, respectively. The body 10 and end walls l1 and 12 are -lined with suitable refractory materials,

line 4 4 of Figure 3;

such lining material being indicated at- 13 and being of any type found suitable for the purpose. A generally cylindrical aperture 14 ,extending through the end wall 11 of the container and its refractory lining, toward the bottom thereof, comprises av clean-out aperture by means of which access may be had to the interior of the container for the purpose of cleaning the same or for eifecting repairs to the refractory lining when necessary. Thisl aperture is normally closed by a plug l5, which may be of any desired construction and secured in position in any suitable manner. Preferably the plug comprisesf a circular plate 16 to which a tapered core of refractory material 17 is secured, the conical wall of this core closely tting a correspondingly y formed wall of aperture 14.

The means for securing the plug in position is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Parallel arms 18 are pivotally supported at 19 to swing about a vertical axis, and plug 15 is pivotally mounted at 20 upon arms 18. The free ends of `these arms are bridged by a member 18', notched at 21 to receive a threaded rod 22, the inner end of which is pivoted at 23 to a. portion of the container end wall 11 so that it may either be swung into the position in which it lis shown in Figure 6, that is, into the notch 21, or may be swung laterally so as to be remote from member 18. 'I'he outer end of swinging bar 22 is threaded, and upon this threaded portion is rotatably mounted a threaded sleeve 24 having a hand-wheel 25 integral therewith. By rotating the hand-wheel 25, the sleeve 24 may be either caused vto press heavily against the member '18',

.cated at 31.

`Preferably all points and hence secure the plug 15 firmly in position, or may be withdrawn out of contact therewith, so that rod 22 may be swung laterally7 releasing arms 18 so that these arms and plug 15 may be swung about the axis 19 and the refractory core 17 removed from aperture 14.

Preferably aligned with aperture 14 and formed in the opposite end wall of the container is an aperture which constitutes an inlet and discharge aperture for the molten materialsy intended to be temporarily stored in the container. Thus, the end wall 12 of the container may be provided with a cylindrical ange, such for instance as is indicated at 30, and within this ilange is rotatably mounted one end of the adjustable spout, which spout is generally indi- The spout, as shown in the drawings, is formed as an elbow having a horizontal portion and a portion normal thereto, and it is the end of this horizontal portion of the spout which is rotatably mounted in the cylindrical flange 30 of the end wall 12 of the container. The metallic wall of the spout is indicated at 33, the refractory lining at 34, and the duct through which the molten materials'ilow in moving into or out of the container at 35.

No portion of the horizontal part of the spout vhas direct contact with the flange 30, and from Figure 4 of thedrawings it will be observed that interposed between the cylindrical end of the metallic shell 33 of the spout and the cylindrical ,flange 30 of the container end wall is a cylindrical member 36 having an annular flange 37 secured by means of bolts 38 to the container end wall. The lining 34 of the horizontal portion of the spout is caused to project beyond the end of the metallic shell 33 and to engage an annularplug-like member 39 of refractory material, which member has ya central aperture 40 in registerwith the conduit 35 formed in the spout. 115 The mutually engaging faces of the spout lining 34 and plug 39 are preferably conically disposed,

as shown in Figure 4.

An annular space between the outer cylindrical surface 41 of the refractory lining 34 and the 120 inner cylindrical surface of the annular ange 30 is filled with a refractory packing 42 in pulverized form, and this packing is prevented from escaping from the chamber in which it is contained by the plug 39 at one end and member 36 125 at the other. This refractory packing is intended to facilitate rotation of the spout relatively to the container, while at the same time preventing leakage of hot metal, slag, or the like through the joint between cylindrical flange 30 130 and the cylindrical outer surface of shell 33. By adjusting the bolts 38, the cylindrical sleeve 36 may be caused to exert any desired pressure against the pulverized refractory packing.

The spout is supported for rotation not only by ange 30 in the endv wall 12 of the container but also by means of a trunnion 43 coaxial with flange 30, which trunnion is supported upon a frame generally indicated at 44 and which is preferably formed integral with the end wall 12 140 of the container.v

Normally the spout is vertically arranged, as shown in Figure 2 and in full lines in Figure 3, and both the metallic shell and the lining thereof flare upwardly as shownin the drawings to facilitate the introduction of molten materials. on the upper edge of the spout are equidistant from the axis of rotation of the spout, and a spout cover, generally indicated at 50, has' its lower surface formed as 150 tween positions portion of a cylinder described about the same axis so that the aperture in the end of the spout will be completely closed by the closeglying cover when the spout is vertically disposed, as shown in Figure 3. Thus, the upper surface of the molten material in the spout is vertically dis` posed (which is of heat by radiation is prevented. The spout cover comprises essentially a metallic member 5l, which extends over and is secured to the top of the cylindrical container, and a refractory lining 52 for that portion of the cover which overlies the spout.

Means for effecting rotation of the spout, which is of considerable bulk and Weight, in-

53 fixed on the horizontal the spout, a worm 54 meshing with this gear and in turn fixed on diagonal shaft 55, and an electric motor 56 secured to the top of the cylindrical container and 'connected to shaft through suitable gearing, as for instance by means of a worm 57 directly connected to the motor shaft, which worm meshes with a worm wheel 58 xed on shaft 55. Shaft 55 is mounted at its upper end in a sleeve 59 rigidly supported from the end wall of the container by means of a bracket 60. The motor 56 is reversible so that the spout may be moved in either direction, is preferably provided with automatic switches to limit the extent of its rotation and hence the extent of movement of the spout, and is provided with lead-in wires having plugs which may be plugged into an electrical circuit wherever it is intended that the spout shall be manipulated. Naturally the details and arrangement of the elements of the spout manipulating means may be varied to suit conditions, and in the event that it is impractical to employ an electric motor, a purely manually operable spout adjusting means may be supplied or a mechanism operable by some other form of energy.

Normally the spout occupies t'ne position in which it is shown in full lines in Figure 3. In

portion of the event that the container has no aperture i in its top for the introduction of molten material and the spout performs two functions of receiving and discharging, it may be moved to receiving position indicated atB in Figure 3, in which vposition it can receive the stream of molten metal, slag, or the like flowing from a spout 65, which may be the pouring spout of a blast furnace. For discharging purposes the spout may be further rotated to the position C (Figure 3) or some position intermediate be- B and C. With the spout in the position indicated at C, all of the metal held by the container will be discharged.

It will be noted Ithat the spout contains, at points adjacent its mouth, baflies 66 extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the spout, which baffles are positioned adjacent depressions 67 formed in the'spout. The baffles 66 function as skimmers, and from Figure 3 of the. drawings it will be perceived that a relatively heavy molten material, such as pig iron, will make its way beneath the skimmer 66 and escape from the spout, whereas a layer of lighter material 68, such as'slag, will be retained. By using the baffles, therefore, it may be made certain that nothing is dischargedl from the vcontainer but the desired metal. The second baffle 66, shownin Figure 3, functions in a similar manner when the spout is rotated to a discharging position in the opposite direction.'

In case the container lis to be used in the the normal position), and loss' -a generally channel-shaped transportation of hot metal on trackways, it is mounted upon trucks, and the relatively long containery lwhich is shown in Figures 1 and 2 will be mounted upon a plurality of such trucks. The trucks may be designed in various ways, but, inasmuch as they are subjected to heavy loading, it is essential that they be constructed in a sturdy manner so as to give the container body the necessary support at all times. In cases where the car is relatively long, it is to be preferred that the end trucks only Ibe pivoted to the container body.

Thus, in Figure 4 of the drawings, the frame 44 is 'shown to be pivoted to the bolster 70 in the usual manner, the ends of bolster 70 being supportedin side frame members 71 (Figure 2), which members are carried on axles 72 in well-known manner. T prevent undue frictional loss between the car frame and bolster, however, the frame 44 is maintained in spaced relationship to the bolster, and the weight of the container is transmitted to the bolster through anti-friction devices, one of which is illustrated in Figure 5. As the bolster70 swivels about the king pin, the balls 73 roll freely on the upper surfaces thereof, and hence horizontal swinging movement of the bolster is not opposed by any substantial frictional forces. It will be observed that each anti-friction ball 73 is backed or supported by a plurality of smaller balls 73' which in turn may roll upon spherical surfaces formed on frame 44. Any other suitable antifriction devices may be substituted for that illustrated,

The intermediate trucks areA not directly pivoted to the container body as it is deemed essential in the case of containers of considerable length to support the same intermediate the ends by trucks which may have some sliding movement laterally of the container to permit the car to freely pass around relatively sharp curves. Such a construction can be understood from an inspection of Figures 2 and 8. the intermediate bolsters is indicated at75, and slide block 76 is seen to be pivoted to the bolster by means of a king pin 77. The upper surface of block 76 is horizontal, andadjacent this face is the horizontal lower surface of a bracket 78 secured to the container. Block 76 is provided with side portions 76 having flanges 762 which project lover lateral portions of the bottomA plate of bracket 78. A

While the bolster is, therefore, connected to the bracket 78 for swivel movement in a hori- Zontal plane about the king pin 77, it may also have a slight lateral sliding movement relatively to the bracket, the bottom plate or' the bracket comprising a guide along which plate 66 can move from side to side in rounding curves. The weight of the container is transmitted to the bolster', however, not through the plate 76 but through rollers or bearings 80 of similar type and design to that shown in Figure 5;

It will be noted that the hot metal car just described is not mounted on a continuous frame, thus saving considerable weight and also'permit-ting the bottom of the container to be relatively close to the tracks so that itmay be made of large size without exceeding the maximum over-all height permissible. Practically the only elements projecting beyond the endsof the container (and spout) are the customary draw bars or couplings by means of which the car is One of connected to adjacent cars or to a locomotive, and a maximum amount of metal can, therefore, be stored or transported in a car of ordinary length.

A relatively short car is indicated in Figure 8, having only two supporting trucks. -The container in this instance is detachably mounted upon'a car frame indicated at 85 and is provided at its top with elements, generally indicated at 86, adapted to be engaged by lifting hooks so that the container as an entirety may be lifted from the car body and transported by means of overhead cranes. In a sense, therefore, the apparatus illustrated in Figure 8 is a combined hot metal car and ladle.

While the invention is of great utility when applied to hot metal cars, it will be apparent that it is not limited to use in suchconnection. Thus, it may be incorporated in ladles of the open-top type orV hot metal mixers which are generally xed in position. Wherever it is desired to transport metal considerable distances and the container is mounted upon wheels so as to form a car, I preferably enclose the top and utilize the spout as both a metal receiving spout and a pouring spout. The cylindrical form of body shown in the drawings is the strongest and most economical type of container for a given weight of metal, but it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a container of any particular size or shape. Where the container is entirely closed save for the pouringspout, it is desirable to 'provide a adjusted to discharge 4of any body of molten vent, such as indicated at 87, for the escape of gases which may be evolved from the metal within the container. This vent also permits the` escape of air from the container, when molten materials are introduced through the spout, and the inow of air when the spout is the contents of the container. v

It will be understood that the novel construction of the spout as described will permit the withdrawal of the relatively pure metal from the bottom of the container first, while holding the lighter impurities on the top of the molten metal inside the container for the last part of the'pouring operation. These impurities will be still further retained when the spout is in its lower position by means of the bales heretofore described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:-

1. A container for molten materials comprising a body portion having a discharge opening and a spout to receive metal flowing through said discharge opening, said spout being adjustable so that its discharge outlet may be moved vertically relatively to the container body.

2. A container for prising a body portion having a discharge port formed in the wall thereof adjacent the bottom and a spout havinga discharge conduit in constant register with the said port, the spout being movable relatively to the body so that its discharge outlet may be moved vertically to a position above or below the level of the surface material which may be contained in the body portion.

3. A container for molten materials comprising a body portion and a. discharge spout associated therewith, vthe dischargev spout having constant communication with the interior of the body and being movable relatively thereto so plane about the axis ofmolten materials comthat the elevation of its discharge aperture may be adjusted so as to be either above or below the level of the surface of a body of molten material in the container, asldesired.

4. A container for molten materials comprising a body portion and spout, one end of the spout being in constant communication with the interior of the body adjacent the bottom thereof, and the spout being adjustable so that its other end may be elevated or depressed relatively to the body.

5. A container for molten materials comprising a body portion and spout, the body having a port in the wall thereof adjacent the bottom and the spout being rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis passing through said port, one end of the spout being in constant communication with said port.

6. The combination with a container for molten materials having a discharge port adjacent its bottom, of a spout having one end in constant register with said port and a portion adjustable in a vertical plane, said last mentioned portion having a discharge orice at its' free end.

7. The combination with 'a container for molten materials having a discharge port adjacentits bottom, of a spout having two portions disposed substantially at right angles, one of said portions being horizontally disposed and in constant communication with said port, and the other portion being rotatable in a vertical said horizontal portion for the purpose of adjusting the elevation of the free end thereof relatively to said port.

8. A container vfor molten materials comprising a body portion having a commonA inlet and discharge port adjacent its bottom, but being otherwise substantially closed, and a spout in constant communication with said port, said spout being adjustable and adapted to serve for either introducing molten material into the container or discharging it therefrom.

9. A container for molten materials comprising a substantially closed receptacle having a common inletA and discharge port adjacent its bottom, and a tubular member having a duct therein in constant communication with'said port, saidmember being adjustable to a plurality of positions, in one of which it comprises means for introducing molten'ma'terial into the receptacle and in another of which it comprises means for discharging molten material therefrom.

l0. A container formolten materials comprising a substantially closed receptacle having a common inlet and discharge port adjacent its bottom, and means associated therewith for infor the purpose of adjusting the elevation of the free end thereof relatively to said port, the last mentioned portion of the spout having means associated therewith for retarding the ow and discharge of the lighter or upper strata of molten materials so that the heavier contents are discharged first.

12. The combination with a container for molten materials having a discharge port adjacent its bottom, of aspout having one end in register with said port and being adjustable for the purpose of varying the elevation of its free end relatively to said port, and means for effecting adjustment of said spout including a motor mounted on the container and gearing connecting the motor and spout. l

13. The combination with a container for molten materials having a discharge port adjaof a spout having one end in register with said port and being adjustable for the purpose of varying the elevation of its free end relatively to said port, and means fixed with respect to the spout for closing the end of the spout when the spout is moved to a predetermined position.

14. The combination with. a` container for molten materials having a discharge port adjacent its bottom, of a spout having one end in register with said port and being adjustable for vthe purpose of varying the elevation of its free end relatively to said port, and a heat retaining cover mounted on the container, which cover closes the free end of the spout when the spout is adjusted into a predetermined position.

15. The combination With a container for molten materials having a discharge port adjacent its bottom, of a spout having one end in constant register with said port and being adjustable from a substantially vertical sealing position to an inclined or discharging position, and means associated with the spout for impeding the flow of the upper strata of discharging liquid moving through said spout while permitting free flow of the lower strata.

16. The combination with a container for molten materials and having a discharge port formed in the wall thereof, of a spout having one end engaging the container along a surface encircling said discharge port, the spout being rotatable about said end so that the position of its free end may be adjusted while registration is constantly maintained between the discharge conduit of the spout and the discharge port of the container, and means for sealing the joint between the container and spout to prevent leakage, said means including an annular body of pulverulent material enclosed between relatively movable portions of the container and spout.

17. In combination, a container for molten materials having a discharge port, a revoluble or swiveling spout having an end surface bearing against a seating surface of the container which encircles said discharge port, and means for preventing escape of molten material through any space which may exist between said surfaces, said means including an annular body of pulverulent refractory material confined between relatively movable portions of the container and spout.

18. In combination, a container for molten materials having a discharge port, a revoluble or swiveling spout having an end surface bearing against a seating surface of the'container which encircles said discharge port, said surfaces terminating outwardly in an annular4 space enclosed between relatively movable portions of the spout and container, and a body of pulverulent refractory material filling said space, 75 for the purpose set forth.

` materials having a 19. The lcombination set forth in claim 18 in which the mating surfaces of the spout and body are frustro-conical.

20. In combination, a container for molten discharge port, a lining of refractory material in said port, the outer face annular seating surface, a swiveling spout lined with refractory material, said lining having an annular end surface adapted to seat against the annular seating surface of the discharge port lining o f the container, and an annular body of pulverulent or granular material encircling the spout adjacent the annular end surface thereof and confined between portions of the spout and container, for the purpose set forth.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 in which means is provided for compressing said body lof granular material.

22. The combination set forth in claim 20 in which the seating surfaces of the spout and container port linings are frustro-conical.

23. A non-tiltable mobile container for the transportation of molten materials comprising a substantially closed body and a support therefor, said body having a common inlet and outlet port formed in the wall thereof at or adjacent its lowest point, a spout having one end in constant register with said port,l said spout being movable so that the opposite end thereof may be moved vertically to a position either above or below the level of the surface of any body of molten material within the container, said spout comprising means for conducting molten material either to or from said port, thereby 110 effecting the charging or discharging of the container without movement thereof with respect to said support, and for sealing said container by maintaining therein a column of molten material, the upper surface of which lies in the 115 same horizontal plane as does the surface of the molten material within the container body.

24. A non-tiltable mobile container for the transportation of molten materials comprisinga substantially closed body and a support therefor, said body being generally cylindrical with horizontally disposed axis and substantially vertically disposed end closures, one of said erid closures having a port formed therein adjacent the lowest point of the' cylindrical body, a spout 125 having two portions disposed substantially at right angles, one of saidportions being horizontally disposed and in constant register and communication with said port, and the other portion being rotatable in a vertical plane transverse to the axis of said cylindrical body so that the free end thereof may be moved vertically to a position either above or below the rlevel of the surface of any body of molten material within the container, said spout comprising 135 means for conducting molten material either to or from said port, thereby effecting the charging or discharging of said container without movement thereof with respect to said support, and for sealing said container by maintaining therein a column of molten material, the upper surface of which lies. in the same horizontal plane as does the surface of the molten material within the container body.

25. A container for molten materials comprising a body portion having a port formed in its wall at or near the lowest point thereof and a discharge spout associated therewith, said spout having one end in constant contact with the container wall and in constant register with 150 said port, the mutually contacting surfaces of fsaid-rspout and container w'all comprising rela- I face of any body eluded. and said tively `slidable companion seats of substantially equal-'"fareafrom which molten material is exspout being movable so that.

materials which comprises introducing into a body of metal, below the surface thereof, successive charges of metals of various grades to be intermixed, and withdrawing mixed metals in desired quantities byE gravity from the lower portion of said body.

27. The process of storing and mixing molten materials which comprises introducing into a body of metal, 'below the surface thereof, successive charges of metals of various grades to be intermixed, storing said body of metal for the desired period of time, and subsequently withdrawing quantities of mixed and relatively pure metal from the lower portion of said body as desired.

JOHN D. PUGI-I.' 

